Stocking protector



July 24, 1928.

R. M. GALLANT STOCKING PROTECTOR Filed May 17, 1926 Patented July 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES,

1,678,566 PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT M. GALLANT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WALTER S. BERRY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

srooxme PROTECTOR.

Application filed May 1?,

My invention. relates to womens wearing apparel and more particularly aims to provi e a simple, inexpensive and efficient means for protecting the stockings during outdoor a wear, especially under conditions of wet streets and sidewalks.

In the drawings, wherein I have shown by way of example an embodiment of one form of my invention Fig. 1. illustrates a device in accordance with one form of my invention, the some be ing there shown in flattened position, viewingits outer surface; 1

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device but l showing its position upon the wearer;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the device inthe position as worn; andi Fig. 4: shows the lower portion of a modified form of my invention.

. In the illustrative views I have indicated at l a' shield, protector or like covering element adapted to fit snugly over the calf and ankle portions of the leg. Said shield may be of any desired length but preferably ex- V tends from the heel well up toward the knee,

or at least a sufiici'ent distance to cover the portion of the stocking which is normally exposed below the dress. Circumferentially the protector or shield extends at least over so the rear portion of the leg and is carried forward at thesides of the leg to any desired extent but leaving the front of the stocking uncovered. It is found that substantially all of the spotting and staining of the stockings so in the course of ordinary outdoor wear, particularly under conditions of rain-or storm,

'. wet sidewalks, 'etc., occurs at the back of the stockings, whether resulting from splashes of water, dirtand the'like thrown up by the 40 feet of the wearer whilewalking, or by the feet of other pedestrians, or by spattering and splashing from'passing vehicles.- The front portion of the stockings, or a major part thereof, may therefore be left uncovered, partly for the reason stated, and

more particularly for the purpose of ventilation and comfort to the wearer of the protective device. By said open front construction also the. stocking retains substantially its normal appearance as viewed from in front of the wearer of my shield or protective device.

Said shield or cover element 1 may be formed of any suitable flexible sheet ma- 5; terial, preferably of light weight and desir- 1926.v Serial No. 109,555.

ably moisture resisting material, such rubber, or rubberized or other fabric. In the form illustrated I have indicated a light weight, woven fabric in which the warps and wefts are arranged at a. substantial angle with the vertical median line of the protector, asseen at 2 in Fig. 1 said fabric desirably being moisture-proofed in any suitable manner. Said bias formation affords additional elasticity for the protector in both transverse and longitudinal direct-ions, particularly the former.

As best seen in Fig; 2, the protector is shaped to conform to the leg portion to be covered; being fashioned to the desired configuration inany suitable manner, either from a single piece of material or from a. plurality of mating pieces seamed or otherwise joined as indicated at? The protector, as viewed in Fig. 1, is of decreasing width toward its lower end, being approximately shield-shaped in the form illustrated. The edges of the protector are finished in any suitable manner, as by the side edge binding strips 4: 4, preferably elastic or bias tape, and by simi ar bindings 5, 6 at the bottom and top edges. If desired such edging, which need not be elastic in all cases, may be continuous about the entire periphery of the protector, or in some instances may be dispensed with. Although generally unnecessary because of the open or skeletonized form of the protector, additional-ventilating means such as the vents or eyelets 7, 7 Fig. 1, may be provided at suitable points, such as in the seam, if any. From an inspection of Fig. 3 it will be seen that the inner face of the protector or shield is entirely smooth, being freeof any objectionable seam, ridge, or other surface irregularity.

Suitable means is providedfor securing the protector in position on the leg of the wearer and in such manner as to permit of easyand quick putting on or removal. In the present instance I have shown for this 100 purpose tape-like supportlng members 8, 8, desirably elastic, one. of which is at or near the upper edge of the protector and may be an integral extension of the upper edge binding 6. Any suitable plurality of such fastening 105 tapes may be provided and in this instance I have indicated, in addition to said upper tape, a second and usually shortertapc at substantially mid-length of the protector. Said supporting members may be elastic no pieces permanently secured at their opposite ends, or provision may be made, as in the drawings, for releasing one or more of said members at any suitable point in their length.

Said securing members are preferably adjustable in length whereby the protector may readily be accommodated to different leg SlZQ S. bers as tapes secured at one end to the protector and having their opposite ends doubled back and attached to slidable buckles or like members 9,9. At the outer ends of the loops so formed are suitable fasteners such as hooks, loops or the like, as indicated at 11, adapted to cooperate with fastening means 12, 12 at corresponding points at the opposite side edge of the protector.

At or near the lower extremity of the protector is a heel strap 13 preferably of elastic tape secured as at 14, 14 and adapted to receive the wearers heel. As clearly seen in Fig. 2, said strap 13 passes beneath the instep of the foot and serves to prevent dlsplacement of the protector in the direction of its length and to retain the same snugly about the heel and ankle. It will be understood that each pair of the protective devices as above described may be made to include a right and left, the securing means being arranged to fasten at the outer side portions of the respective leg or, if desired, the two devices constituting a pair I may be substantially identical, a portion of each securing tape being carried by the opposite side edgesso as to provide for fastening at or near the front of the leg.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a modified form for the lower portion of the protector, including a heel enclosing section or cup-like portion 15 into or through which the heel may be inserted, thus affording protection for the shoe heel as well as the stocking, but without detracting from the ease with which the device may be put on and removed.

With a construction and arrangement such as illustrated and described by way of example, making provision for extreme flexibility and freedom from undesirable binding or undue heating, due largely to the extensive open area at the front of the protector, the resulting article is not only highly effective for thepurpose intended but is entirely comfortable in use. The disclosed stocking protector may be manufactured at little expense and with the requirement of a minimum amount of material. It is so designed that it does not detract-from the appearance of the wearer, a considerationof importance in this art, it being trim and close fitting as viewed from behind, while leaving the stocking with subsantially its normal appearance as viewed from in front.

I am aware that it has heretofore been proposed, as disclosed in the United States I have accordingly shown said mempatent to Howard et al., dated January 2, 1877 to provide a guard or protector for the lower extremities of mens pantaloon legs, comprising a heavy, boot-like guard device, with integral heel socket, and permissibly formed of leather material, and I make no claim thereto, my invention comprising a flexible, light-weight, shield-like device for Wear closely over the rear ankle and calf portions of a womans leg, directly over the stocking.

My invention is not limited to the particular illustrative embodiment thereof shown and described herein, its scope being set forth in the following claims.

Claims:

1. A womans stocking protective device comprising a shield or cover element fashioned to fit the calf and ankle portions of the leg, and terminating rearwardly of the shin, said element formed of flexible sheet material and being in major part elastic, at least in the direction transversely thereof, securing means extending from one side edge of said shield or cover element near its top and having a fastener, cooperating fastener-engaging means at the opposite side edge of said element, similar securing and fastening means therefor at a lower portion of said side edges, and a cross-member at the bottom portion of said element adapted to be engaged beneath the wearers shoe.

2.A womans stocking protective device comprising a shield or cover element of flexible sheet material of decreasing'width toward its lower end, said element being fashioned to fit the calf and ankle portions of the leg and terminating rearwardly of the shin, the material being elastic at least in the direction transversely of said element, an edge binding for said element, said binding for atleast the top and bottom edges being elastic, an elastic securing tape integral with the top edge binding and having at its outer end a fastener, a cooperating fastener-engaging member at the opposite side edge of the device, one or more similar securing tapes at a lower point or points on the side edges, and a strap at the lower edge of the device adapted to extend beneath the foot from side to side.

3. A womans stocking protective device comprising a shield or cover element of flexible sheet material fashioned to fit the calf and ankle portions of the leg and terminating rearwardly of the shin, the material being elastic at least in the direction transverse of said element, an edge binding for said element, said binding for at least the top and bottom edges being elastic, one or more elastic tape-like members at one side edge of the device and having fastener means at their outer portions, cooperating fastener receiving means correspondingly positioned on the opposite side edges of the device, and

means for adjusting the length of said tapelike member or members,

4. As a new article, of manufacture. and wear, independent of a shoe or the like, in combination, a shield for the lower rear portions of a womans stockinged leg, said shield being formed of flexible sheet mate- .rial, open at thefront, and being in major part elastic, at elast in the direction transversely thereof, one or more devices for 10 cross-connecting'the front edge portions of the shield, and a cross-member at the lower In testimony whereof, I have signed my 15 name to this specification.

ROBERT M. GALLANT. 

